North of England Orchid Society January 2019 Newsletter Issue 1

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1 January 2019 Newsletter Issue 1 My name is Dr Martin Palin and I have taken over the role of the new newsletter editor. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you already during our last two events. For those that I have not met, I will use this opportunity to introduce myself and look forward to meeting many more of you at future shows. Growing orchids is a hobby of mine which I have been extremely passionate about for the last 20 years. I have found myself growing an extremely diverse array of different orchid species and hybrids. Most of my experience is based on luck, experiments and failures. I m sure all orchid growers can relate to the later at some point. I am lucky to be the proud owner of a fairly small greenhouse which I have managed to pack with approximately 300 orchids. I grow a wide variety of orchids with the majority of these being species or naturally occurring hybrids. I find myself drawn in particular to those that are rare The above photograph is me exploring the and hard to find and gain satisfaction from the spectacular National successfully growing more finicky / demanding orchids. The two photos (right) are taken from inside my greenhouse and as you can see, it is packed and can only be described as organised chaos. One of the major disadvantages of this is the spread of pests and diseases when not detected and treated promptly Orchid Gardens of Singapore in August of This is a fantastic orchid and botanical garden that is well worth a visit if you re in Singapore. Unfortunately I was unable to display any orchids at the last show. Most of my plants were either just finishing flowering or else not quite in flower. In this next section I would like to share a few of my orchids that are currently in flower. If people think this is useful or interesting, I am more than happy to share some of my tips and experiences in growing any of these orchid species or hybrids in future newsletters. The photographs above are a few of my Coryanthes orchids. From left to right; Coryanthes Macrantha, Coryanthes Fieldingii and Coryanthes Bruchmuelleri. Sadly this fantastic group of orchids are less popular within cultivation or orchid collections. I personally find them fascinating although they can be a little fussy in terms of growing conditions. They require a warm, humid environment and do NOT like to dry out at any time. I personally find good quality sphagnum moss works best. In the wild this group of orchids are found as epiphytes, often growing in ant s nests. As a result these orchids like a fairly acid medium. A little tip that works well for me is to add fresh lemon juice in rainwater every few weeks when watering.

2 January 2019 Newsletter Issue 1 The following orchids are some of my specimen plants, some of which I ve had for over 20 years. From right to left Laelia Purpurata var Striata, Coelogyne Barbata, Cymbidium Esther and Laelia Gouldiana. Regrettably the latter can no longer be found in the wild due to overcollection. Finally these are a few other orchids that are currently in flower within my greenhouse: Right; Cycnoches Pentadactylon, Coelogyne Ecarinata, Below; Psychopsis Mariposa and Epidendrum Radicans I have managed to capture some of my miniature cooler growing orchids with my limited photography skills (right to left); Dracula Roezlii, Platystele Misera, Scaphosepalum Breve and Maxillaria Schunkeana. These orchids are kept in the same greenhouse as my other orchids, but seem to tolerate the higher temperatures as they are under a humidifier. I feel the key with these orchids is humidity rather than temperature. I'm sure many growers may disagree with this and say they need to be kept much cooler. If it works for you then don t change your conditions!

3 December meeting 2018; Barton. Despite a typical cold winter s rainy day, it was good to see such a good turnout of society members. The Christmas meal proved a big success (picture left) with George Barnes (North of England Orchid Society president) giving a welcome speech during our Christmas meal for Eds Orchids YouTube channel. Definitely worth a watch especially if your into Paphiopedilums or Phragmipediums. A wide range of well grown orchid species and hybrids were beautifully presented for the judges. (Pictured right). I was personally impressed with a very well grown specimen plant displayed of cymbidium tracyanum (pictured left representing Class 6), by Nick Gilliam. This species is native to China Thailand and Myanmar and grows as a large sized epiphyte or lithophyte. This was a huge plant with over 20, 4-inch flowers. A massive congratulations to Nick who was awarded First Price and a cultivation award. I have included pictures of all the orchids that won First Price. Upper left photo represents an orchid grown by R Harrison in class number 5; Renanthera Storiei. Lower left photo from class number 4 grown by G Barnes; Gomesa Recurve. The lower right photo is that of class number 15 again grown by R Harrison; Catasetum Jack of Diamonds. To the left we can see an orchids displayed in category 2, by David Crook. I have included a close up of sophronitis cernua (right top corner of photo) I though this specimen was beautifully displayed on a natural looking piece of cork wood.

4 December meeting 2018; Barton. Continuation of all those orchids that were awarded first price; Upper left picture represents Class 7; miniature Cymbidium. Upper right picture shows class 19 grown by G Barnes; Vanda Pachara Delight (pink). The left lower photo is class 8; Paphiopedilum Winston Churchill and below shows an orchid by class number 9; Phragmipedium Schlimii. There are at least two forms of Pachara Delight including a pink and a blue form. Both are spectacular and I find these to be reliable bloomers. They make a great starter orchid if you re wanting to grow Vanda orchids. Finally a big congratulations to the remainder of people winning first price. The left sided photo represents in class number 11 by D Morten; Oncidesa Sweet Sugar, right photo is grown by C Parker representing class number 12; Rossioglossum Rawdon Jester. Lower left picture, Class number 14; Dendrobium Fantasia again grown by C Parker and finally Class number 10 grown by C Burrows; Cattleya Morning Cloud.

5 Events of 2019 Jan. 12th Community Hall Rixton with Glazebrook. Feb. 9th Barton Village Hall, Barton Lancs. Annual General Meeting Mar. 2nd Community Hall Rixton with Glazebrook. Members Plant Auction April 13th Hoghton Village Hall (NEW VENUE). May 11th Community Hall Rixton with Glazebrook. June 1st Barton Village Hall, Barton Lancs. OUR ANNUAL SHOW PLANTS NEEDED. July 13th Barton Grange Garden Centre, Barton Lancs. Aug. 3rd/4th Joint Meeting with Harrogate O. S. Harlow Carr Yorkshire. August 10th Hoghton Village Hall. Sep. 7th Community Hall Rixton with Glazebrook. Members Plant Auction Oct. 6th Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston. Nov. 9th Barton Village Hall, Barton Lancs. Dec. 7th Community Hall Rixton with Glazebrook.

6 Other Events British Paphiopedilum Society Annual Meeting & AGM 19 th & 20 th January 2019 The meeting will be held at the Jarvis Ramada Hotel in Solihull. The main speaker is Jerry Fisher from the United States. This is ideal for any Paphiopedilum or Phragmipedium growers and will be a really a good weekend. The AGM of the Society will take place at 1.30pm on the 9th of February at Barton Community Halls As this is the first time I have written a newsletter I look forward to recovering any feedback. I also look forward to sharing some of my tips and experiences in growing various species in future newsletters. Please let me know if people think this is interesting or useful. I would be extremely grateful for any other ideas for future newsletters. Any suggestions can be ed across, or alternately can be discussed in person at future events/ shows.

7 Committee members. The present Officers and Committee members are: President Mr George Barnes Vice President Mr David Crook Treasurer Mr Edmund Oates Membership Secretary Mrs Sheila Barnes Secretary Mr Malcolm White Show Secretary Mr David Crook Above are willing to be nominated for re-election Committee Members retiring in 2019 but are willing to be reelected: Martin Palin (Newsletter Editor - co opted in October in place of Alan Ridgway) Jenny Burrows (Publicity Officer and minute Secretary) Sheila Yates Leon Skorczewski Committee Members still serving their term of office until 2020 Richard Rhodes Trish White Chris Burrows Hazel Skorczweski

8 Committee members/ Membership Subscriptions. Anyone wishing to stand in place of any of the above committee members need to be nominated by another member of the society and that nomination duly lodged with the Secretary in writing before the date of the AGM. Both of whom should be paid up members of the Society. Membership subscriptions fall due on the 1st of January each year, single and for double, Payment Options include: Cheque made out to: The and posted to; Sheila Barnes, 64 Green Meadows, Westhoughton, BL5 2BN. Paid at a Show Paid by debit/credit cards via paypal at